The Screaming O will join forces with the Association For Safe Fun Sex (ASFX) to sponsor Team Long Beach during the 11th Annual AIDS/LifeCycle bike tour. This seven-day ride down the California coast raises funds and awareness to fight HIV/AIDS and attracts thousands with a common goal to educate and make a change.

ASFX is the first association of its kind to provide expert information on sexually transmitted infections and other safe sex issues in a fun, fresh fashion. Working alongside The Screaming O, the two are promoting this message by providing Long Beach’s long-running cycling team with the support it needs to complete their significant journey.

“We jumped at the chance to team with ASFX once again to be a part of such a life-changing event,” The Screaming O partner Keith Caggiano said. “This landmark 545-mile bike ride takes participants and their supporters through beautiful California with everyone working together for a common cause. It’s an honor to be involved.”

Fans can follow team Long Beach’s journey closely on ASFX.org with the official Screaming O Team Long Beach Tracker, keeping them up-to-speed on their cycling path and the various fundraising events planned before the team takes off.

Several fun and interactive events, including a St. Patrick’s Day-themed beer pong tournament, Official Training Rides, and even a tattooing party are in the works for the months prior to the official send-off June 3.

The kick-off event is set for Saturday, March 3, from 2-5 p.m. at the Paradise Piano Bar, where attendees can enjoy free Screaming O and Rock On Sexy prizes, as well as other sexy and exciting goodies. The Paradise Piano Bar is located at 1800 East Broadway in Long Beach, Calif.

“The Screaming O and ASFX are a perfect match for Team Long Beach, as we all want to help people feel more comfortable about sex by talking about it and making it fun!” Team Long Beach captain Melinda Elmer said. “Sometimes you have to get creative when raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, and events like AIDS/LifeCycle helps demystify it by eliminating the stigma.”

The Screaming O and ASFX logos will be on full display on each cyclist’s jersey for all to see, something Elmer said already catches the attention of onlookers during practice rides.

“Everyone comes up to us and asks what The Screaming O is, and when they realize it they all say, ‘Ooooooh,’” Elmer said. “The logos are on our pockets and across our backs – the most prominent positions.”

Safe sex is a message that all too often falls on deaf ears, and ASFX is the first association of its kind to bring a fun, fresh and modern attitude to educating the public about condom use, sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy prevention. ASFX’s events break the notion that condoms are a boring buzzkill by showing the sexually active and curious hundreds of ways to make condoms an essential part of the bedroom routine.

AIDS/LifeCycle is a week-long, 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles that raises money and awareness for HIV/AIDS with thousands of participating cyclists and “volunteer Roadies.” The work has supported the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and for 19 years, and this marks the 11th year with the AIDS/LifeCycle moniker.